Elder Bednar addresses BYU following student’s fall

David A. Bednar noted the somber mood at Brigham Young University Tuesday afternoon following a student’s attempted suicide on campus the day before.

Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelves Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, began his devotional, titled “That They Might Have Joy,” by acknowledging BYU’s “understandably subdued spirit.” He said he had thought about the campus and the student involved without ceasing since learning of it.

A 19-year-old student was transported to Utah Valley Hospital Monday morning with critical injuries after falling four stories in the N. Eldon Tanner Building. The building was later shut down and the classes inside were cancelled for the day. Hundreds of students were inside at the time of the fall.

Counseling services were also made available for students, and faculty were asked to be sensitive about the incident.

While introducing Bednar, BYU President Kevin Worthen, who fought tears, expressed his personal sympathy and said his prayers go out to those who were affected, especially the student’s family. He urged students to be more aware of and caring for the wellbeing of every person in their community.